Ukrainian troops clashed with pro-Russian separatists in Mariupol. Here, according to media reports, eight people were killed.

When fighting in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, according to Ukrainian and Russian media reports, several people have been killed. The Ukrainian news website “Insider” and the news agency Interfax reported killed eight pro-Russian fighters in the city in southeastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian security forces have launched several armored vehicles in the city of some 500,000 inhabitants.

According to the report of the agency Interfax- Ukraine policemen had tried to retake the occupied by separatists police headquarters . They had come under attack pro-Russian forces keeping a building of the Interior Ministry occupied. Police in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk declined to comment so far.

But the death toll is still unclear : Local media reported of shots in the center of the city. The local journalist Tetjana Ignatschenko reported heavy fighting in front of the police headquarters . There was one dead and six wounded on the part of the rebels.

A leading member of the pro-Moscow ” self-defense forces,” said several activists were injured . Among the arguments it had come to the celebration of the Victory Day over Nazi Germany , the spokesman said. A crowd had moved to an occupied by separatists and besieged by security forces police station. Then, the forces had opened fire . Independent confirmation was not available initially .

The Ukrainian leadership had warned against provocations on the occasion of the holiday. Pro-Russian forces have occupied several towns in eastern Ukraine government buildings. You want on Sunday to hold a referendum on independence .

In April separatists stormed the town hall of Mariupol and occupied for weeks.